740.0011 European War 1939/6325: Telegram

The Chargé in Yugoslavia ( Bonbright ) to the Secretary of State

480. The Chief of the Political Section of the Foreign Office36 told me last night in strict confidence that there had been pressure during the day from the Italians for the issuance of a declaration of neutrality by the Yugoslav Government but that the latter had not complied.

He added that the Greeks had asked the Yugoslav Government not to permit any Italian troops to cross Yugoslav territory and that his Government had given assurances that any such request from the Italians would be refused. This has been confirmed this morning from an unimpeachable source.

Repeated to Rome, Athens and Ankara.

Bonbright
  1. R. Petrovic.